EXHIBIT 99.19

Thursday February 26, 7:31 am Eastern Time

Company Press Release

               Premier Laser Systems Acquires 51% of Ophthalmic
                Imaging Systems Stock Through Private Purchase

                        Agrees to Commence Tender Offer

IRVINE, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 26, 1998--Premier Laser Systems Inc.
(Nasdaq NM:PLSIA - news) Thursday announced that it has acquired approximately
51% of the outstanding stock of Sacramento, Calif.-based Ophthalmic Imaging
Systems (Nasdaq:OISI - news) through private purchases. Premier had previously
purchased approximately 29.5% of the outstanding Ophthalmic Imaging's stock in
the open market.

     As part of the acquisition, Premier has agreed with OIS that Premier will
commence a tender offer within five business days to acquire the remaining
outstanding shares of OIS. Pursuant to the tender offer, Premier intends to
offer, in return for each share of OIS tendered, $1.75 in cash, $0.25 in Premier
stock and two warrants, each of which permit the holder to acquire $0.25 worth
of stock for a nominal purchase price if OIS meets certain future revenue goals.
The terms of the proposed tender offer are identical to the terms of the private
purchase Premier completed today. Premier's acquisition of certain OIS shares is
subject to rescission in the event Premier does not acquire shares under its
tender offer.
 
     The directors of OIS have unanimously approved the transaction and
recommend that OIS shareholders accept Premier's offer to tender their shares.
Premier Chairman, President and CEO Colette Cozean, Ph.D., said: ``We are truly
pleased to have the opportunity to join forces with such an exceptional company
and strong management team and that their Board of Directors has voiced
unanimous agreement. ``We believe we will be able to rapidly improve OIS'
performance through our international distribution channels for their products,
manufacturing expertise, product synergies and economies of scale. We further
believe that the strength of our balance sheet and position in the ophthalmic
market combined with OIS' innovative technology and product line should provide
excellent opportunities for the shareholders and employees of both companies.''

     Cowen & Company, OIS' financial advisor, has delivered to the Board of
Directors of OIS its opinion that as of the date of the opinion the terms of the
offer are fair from a financial point of view to the holders of OIS common stock
(other than Premier and its affiliates).

 
     Ophthalmic Imaging System's CEO, Steven Verdooner said: ``OIS is very
pleased and excited about this opportunity. Premier's corporate strategy
continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to the ophthalmic field through the
acquisition of innovative, market-leading products. We believe that OIS will be
an important part of Premier's continued growth and offers a new dimension to
its ophthalmology business.''

     The completion of the tender offer is subject to customary conditions,
including registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the
securities to be offered to the OIS shareholders.

     OIS is engaged in the business of designing, developing, manufacturing and
marketing digital imaging systems and image enhancement and analysis software
for use by practitioners in the ocular health field.

     Premier Laser Systems develops, manufactures and markets several lines of
proprietary medical lasers, fiber optic delivery systems, corneal topography
systems and associated products and services for a variety of dental, ophthalmic
and surgical applications.

The statements in this news release that relate to future events or performance,
statements about growth, company performance, distribution channels, levels of
sales and market size, future manufacturing capacity and efficiencies, future
product shipment rates, future product introductions are forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks associated with
uncertainties related to the development of markets for and commercial
acceptance of the company's products and services, the availability of
components, competitors' product introductions, patent or other litigation, and
other risks identified in the company's SEC filings.   Actual results may differ
from those described in these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak
only as of the date hereof.